By Jeff Labine

Flood solution comes with big price tag

Apr 25, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert’s best solution to possible flooding of the Saskatchewan River could also be the priciest.

John Guenther, the city’s director of planning and development services, has been working on a 1:500-year flooding plan for the city the past year. The province gave the city an extended deadline to finalize the plan but some councillors voiced concerns about the progress so far.

One solution to possible flooding could be constructing a dirt dike or berm along both banks of the river. An early estimate pegs the price tag for the dike from $11 to $15 million.

“A dike is the biggest, most expensive but it takes the flood plain away,” Guenther said. “It solves everything with one fell swoop. That’s the kind of thing most cities, most urbanized areas actually look to is the big number.”

The proposed dike would be two km across each side of the Diefenbaker Bridge with the average height approximately two metres. Guenther said the dike shouldn’t obstruct views of the river.

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Ward 8 Coun. Ted Zurakowski raised concerns about the province not stepping up to pay for the city’s flooding plan.

“I don’t know any other municipality that has done this work along the riverbank without the assistance of the feds or the province,” he said. “I understand the preparation, I understand the planning that needs to go ahead and I’m there. My concern is who is going to pay and there’s no answer to that.”

Ward 5 Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick pointed out the likelihood of flooding at the river is very low. The potential threat, he said, is nearly zero percent.

Guenther explained the importance of flood planning is for future developments so any possible threat is mitigated as much as possible.

“Flooding events are really catastrophic,” Guenther said. “Usually if a flood occurs it affects a large number of people, displaces them from a home, and effects your beautiful riverfront.”

Despite the risk of flooding, Guenther pointed out many people want to be by the river.

During his presentation, Guenther said he wanted to review the various ways the city can flood to better combat the effects. The price tag for that review would be roughly $75,000.

The city is currently trying to get provincial funding to cover the bill, but hasn’t been successful.

Another goal of the plan is setting flood proofing standards, which require the assistance of the province.

“Instead of each person running out and designing a garage or a house with flood proofing standards, why doesn’t the city put together its own flood proofing common standards that can be used in a number of areas,” Guenther said. “I realize site by site will change sometimes but you can put flood proofing standards together that are pretty definitive.”

The city also has to include how it plans to response to emergencies if a flood occurs.

Guenther added administration is looking to host another public meeting near May 25 before the plan reaches second and third readings on June 26.

The deadline for the city’s 1:500-year flood plan was extended to this year following the municipal election in October.

Jeff.labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter